staccato

I've got a 2008 sti hatch. I've done 2 interim oil changes myself since owning it. I've always self serviced my cars as none have had warranty and have only required oil changes at the period I've owned them from. What I then do is ask for belt inspections to be done as an on the side job at MOTs or when I have mod work done.

I usually print the oil and filter invoices off, and add the mileage and date to the invoices then store them in a folder along with every single other invoice I've ever accumulated for the car.

My question is, I am due a service now. It's only oil and filter plus inspection of belts etc. With the current opie oils discount I can get the oil I need for £42, and a filter for a tenner and do the job myself. I was originally intending to go to slowboy racing where I've had remap done, but they want £125 (still a good price) and I'm not sure if that includes my personal choice of oil. Subaru dealerships want even more than that.

Now I'm definitely not tight when it comes to my cars but I've also got good enough business sense to know that there is a large difference between £52 and £125 for the sake of having a stamp in the service book.

So I guess my question is do I self service for an oil change or begrudgingly pay for someone else's labour for a job I am capable of doing myself.

Cheers

Shaks-STI

iTrader: (7)

I would do it my self, with the extra money you would pay someone else to service your car for you, you can buy belts and change it your self too.

staccato

Cheers. Totally agree. In the past I've had highly modified Mazda 3mps and also a modified vectra vxr and nobody has even asked about the self servicing. But I wondered if self servicing a scooby is a sort of no no in terms of re sale

Inviroman

iTrader: (2)

Did all mine my self, all engine fluids,filters,plugs etc, I mean all!
And gearbox/diff oil change.
Even the timing belt is not a hard job, saves a lot of cash and piece of mind knowing all is done, not saying that some garages don't do just the same good job, just fussy.
The only thing I do do is a pre MOT one month before its due at pal garage this way any items that require attention are done before the real MOT.

staccato

Thanks mate. Looks like its the way to go then. I've also done gear box oil on my mps but not done diff oil before - looks easy though looking at the how to on iwsti.com.

I am also very fussy and although only an amateur mechanic I almost don't really want anyone touching my car. I kind of want to take my time over it, and give it a bit of special care and attention rather than it being just one in a million garage serviced cars.

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

I think providing you keep record of regular oil changes, it shouldn't put off a potential buyer in future. Even if it devalues your car slightly and/or gives bargaining power to your buyer, you've probably saved more over the years on service costs!

Personally I do interim work myself but take to a specialist once a year for MOT and a more thorough service. Best of both worlds!

Fudgey

iTrader: (1)

I diy everything myself. Not so much because i dont want pay, but because i dont know how till ive tried!
Once i have donw something and found it to be a pain in ***, im more likely to pay someone else next time lol.
I have rebuilt engines etc before that all lasted well and my last effort was a zetec turbo that made 397bhp/386lbft and still had more to give.
That was a custom one off thing with some quite trick parts that had to made to fit etc.
when i do a service i just write in the book whats been done etc and put reciepts in the folder. Hell, my car is 12 years old... So i dont think it will effect resale tbh

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

If you do everything properly & be meticulous it will probably be a better job than from a garage. I'm sure lots of garages take short cuts not pre filling oil filters & cranking to build up oil pressure before running & not setting plug gaps etc. The truth is if it's your pride & joy nobody will look after it like you will.

staccato

Excellent thanks. Looks like its pretty unanimous at the moment. I'd prefer to know exactly what's gone on with my car but also its the satisfaction level too. I can buy premium parts and premium oil and do it for less than half a garage fee

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Another self servicer here, done it on pretty much all my cars since I was 17,the odd time i'll let garages do stuff like fitting rear springs on my transporter because it's bar steward of a job and required some hard core spring compressors, 100 quid well spent imo, but most of the time i'd sooner spend the labour charges on tools to do the job, then I have them for the next time, got a pretty nice collection now and can tackle most jobs myself.

staccato

Thanks man. I've done exactly the same over the years. Now done all my own roll bars, bush kits, brakes etc easily. I was just asking as people seem to think that a scooby should have a million dealer stamps in the book after a few years, and its sacrilege to self service. But I think I'm just gonna carry on as usual and keep saving money!

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

I wouldn't worry too much about stamps once it's out of warranty as long as you keep the receipts so any prospective purchaser can see what's been spent.

I've just done the head gasket on my run about Rover 25 last week and fitted all new belts for £120, the local garage whom I asked out of curiosity wanted £700, I did it over a couple of days took me about 8 hrs in total, just did a bit of research on the net and jobs a good un, was really easy too, £550 saved and got a nice new shiny torque wrench into the bargain for £30.

Henrik

iTrader: (5)

Another self servicer here!

All the regular servicing is fairly easy to do, tbh. Once you get into taking gearboxes etc off it becomes more complicated and heavy, but routine servicing isn't exactly rocket science

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

I've always done all my own work.
I'd actually prefer to buy a car thats been cared for by its owner rather than a garage.

Keeping records and receipts is a must though.

LuckyWelshchap

Another slant on this:

A current AA or RAC inspection report when you sell the car is a far better selling point than a service history full of garages, dealers etc. and that will cost you far less than servicing costs by one of them over even a year.

In fact, just two self-services would cover it by the look.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

I wouldn't let the AA or RAC anywhere near any of my cars. I've actually asked one to leave before while inspecting a car of mine for a potential buyer. They are a complete joke.

Frenchwood

I'm a "self servicer" too, however, if a car is under warranty, that would be the only time I'd have it serviced at a garage. Saying that, you only need an oil change to get a stamp!

I've saved thousands and thousands over the years by self servicing, and done the same for others too, as I look after 7-8 other people's cars.

Provided the car is great condition, looks good, and runs well at sale time, service stamps don't really mean much.

Checking the oil and seeing its like tar on the other hand... Lol

LuckyWelshchap

Bu&&er, that's one less selling point for mine when I come to get rid of it then !

On the serious side (for me, I'm not doubting your sincerity) I presume that they take the side of whoever pays the money ie would highlight the good points if the seller's paying or the bad points if the buyer's their client.

hodgy0_2

Self servicer here too,

Use garages only for MOT's and the large stuff like cambelts etc

Frenchwood

AA/RAC do tend to nit pick somewhat, but they can be useful, particularly for buyers who are not "in the know". Although I tend to find that a fresh MOT (even if not due) is a good show of faith, especially if done by a well established garage.

LuckyWelshchap

Good point.

I tend to follow the 'put a fresh MoT on it' route as well if I'm buying.
The fee is well worth the money to a seller if it does the business, especially if there's no advisories.